U.S. considers easing sanctions on “shadow fleet” to lower shipping costs

The Daily Journal.- The U.S. government is considering easing sanctions on vessels belonging to the so-called “ghost fleet” or “shadow fleet,” which have transported oil and petroleum products from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, in an effort to reduce global shipping rates. President Donald Trump’s administration aims to reduce distribution disruptions caused by record-high maritime freight […]

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Alex Saab to plead guilty in money laundering case, AP reports

The Daily Journal.— Former Venezuelan Industries Minister Alex Saab plans to plead guilty Tuesday before a federal court in Miami in a money laundering case involving government food-import contracts, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Saab, 54, will appear before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams for a change-of-plea hearing, according to court records cited by AP. […]

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Trump says U.S. could stay in Iran and keep its oil ‘like in Venezuela’

The Daily Journal.- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that Washington could maintain its presence in Iran and benefit from the country’s oil resources, as it did in Venezuela. “Eventually, we’ll get out (of Iran), unless we decide to stay and keep the oil, like in Venezuela. You don’t hear about Venezuela anymore, do you? […]

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Venezuela “returns” to the U.S. and Western sphere of influence

The Trump administration is reversing, through forceful actions and aggressive diplomacy, what President Chávez painstakingly built, and Nicolás Maduro later sought to deepen. José Gregorio Yépez The signing of Venezuela’s oil agreements with the multinational companies that attended the meeting at Miraflores, with the approval of U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, marks one of the […]

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Trump says he will refill U.S. strategic reserves “very soon” with Venezuelan oil

The Daily Journal. — U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that his administration will soon use Venezuelan crude to replenish the country’s strategic energy reserves following the recent bilateral agreement that gives U.S. companies operational control over one-fifth of the South American country’s proven reserves. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump lashed […]

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Venezuelan oil price declined at the end of the first half of 2026

Venezuelan oil prices averaged US$67.36 per barrel in the first half of 2026 The Daily Journal.- Venezuelan oil prices ended the first half of 2026 at an average of US$67.36 per barrel, representing a cumulative decline of US$23.11 from the peak reached in April. According to data from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons reported to the […]

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Citgo sets record for ultra-low-sulfur diesel exports from its Texas terminal

The Daily Journal.— U.S. refiner Citgo posted record exports of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) from its Brownsville, Texas, terminal during the second quarter, as the prolonged war between the United States and Iran continued to restrict global supplies of the fuel. According to the company’s earnings release, second-quarter ULSD export sales in Brownsville more than doubled […]

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Oil Prices rise amid tensions between Iran and U.S.

The Daily Journal.- Oil prices rose on Tuesday as negotiations between Iran and the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remained stalled, fueling uncertainty over potential supply shortages in the Middle East. In that context, Brent crude, the benchmark for European markets, reached $90.03 per barrel, climbing 2.6% to its highest level since […]

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Brent crude reaches $83 after new attacks

The Daily Journal.- Oil prices started the week higher as the market grew increasingly skeptical about a potential agreement in the Middle East to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. North Sea Brent crude for October delivery rose 1.29% to $83.55 per barrel. Its U.S. counterpart, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for September delivery, gained 1.15% […]

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Oil prices rise amid uncertainty over Strait of Hormuz agreement

The Daily Journal.- Oil prices rose on Friday amid growing uncertainty over a potential agreement between Iran and Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The market, which had hoped for an imminent solution earlier in the week, turned nervous again after Tehran signaled its intention to ban U.S. and Israeli vessels from passing through […]

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